Apparatus for transferring objects from a first to a second conveyor

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for transferring an irregular stream of objects from a first conveyor to a second conveyor in such a way that the objects form a regular stream of objects on the second conveyor. The first conveyor operates at a higher conveying speed than the second conveyor and for some distance in parallel with the second conveyor. A deflection device for movable deflection of objects between the two conveyors is provided synchronized with the movement of the second conveyor. The objects being conveyed upon the first conveyor are deflected from this conveyor over to the second conveyor at various points along the above mentioned distance, depending upon how closely the objects are transported on the first conveyor.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for transferring objects, the apparatus comprising: a first conveyor conveying the objects at a first conveying speed, the first conveyor conveying an irregular stream of the objects;   a second conveyor in operative engagement with the first conveyor and parallel thereto, the second conveyor conveying the objects at a second conveying speed and conveying a regular stream of the objects, the first conveying speed being greater than the second conveying speed;   a movable deflector member disposed between the first and the second conveyor for transferring the objects from the first conveyor to the second conveyor; and   a synchronizer in operative engagement with the first and second conveyor to synchronize the movement of the deflector member to the second conveying speed.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflector member is movable along the first and the second conveyor and the deflector member is mechanically synchronized to the second conveyor. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the deflector member is movable along the first and the second conveyor and the deflector member is electronically synchronized to the second conveyor, the deflector member further comprises a driving mechanism for detecting a position of the deflector member relative to a position of the second conveyor, the apparatus further comprises a detector for detecting objects that pass through the deflector member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first conveyor is disposed above the second conveyor. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the deflector member comprises a curved extension that extends from an upper side of the first conveyor towards an upper side of the second conveyor. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the apparatus further comprises a damping mechanism for damping an inertia of the objects on the second conveyor. 
     
     
       7. A method for transferring objects from a first conveyor to a second conveyor, the method comprises the step of: providing an irregular stream of objects and conveying the objects on the first conveyor;   providing a second conveyor that is substantially parallel to the first conveyor;   transporting the objects on the first conveyor at a first speed;   deflecting the objects from the first conveyor to the second conveyor with a deflector;   synchronizing a position of the deflector along the first and second conveyors to positions of the objects in the irregular stream conveyed on the first conveyor so that the objects form a regular stream of objects on the second conveyor; and   transporting the objects on the second conveyor at a second speed, the first speed being greater than the second speed.   
     
     
       8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the deflector upstream relative to a direction of travel of the second conveyor when an object is deflected from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. 
     
     
       9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the deflector downstream relative to the direction of travel of the second conveyor until another object is deflected from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. 
     
     
       10. The method according to claim 7 wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the first conveyor in a first direction and moving the second conveyor in a second direction, the first direction being opposite the second direction.